Hull FC and Hull KR brought the curtain down on their pre-season games yesterday as the start of the new Super League season moves a step closer.

FC went down to a defeat at St Helens in what was their third and final game. The result won't be of much concern to coach Lee Radford, but what is of concern is the worry Albert Kelly may miss the opening game against Rovers through injury. As for KR, they signed off in their second game of pre-season with a win over Toronto Wolfpack.

We'll have reaction and analysis from both matches, we'll also start looking ahead to the start of the season and have the results from a busy weekend of pre-season games. You can follow it all in our live blog below.

18:58

That's all from us

Thanks for being with us throughout today.

We’ll be back in morning with the latest news from Hull FC, Hull KR and across Super League.

Hope you can join us. Enjoy your Sunday evening everyone.

17:31

Win derby tickets

You can win four tickets for the Super League game between Hull KR and Hull FC on February 1.

This giveaway is for Rovers fans only as seats are in with the KR fans.

Hull FC after their derby loss to Hull KR. (Image: Dave Greaves)

16:52

Pre-season results

This afternoon’s pre-season results featuring the Super League sides.

Salford 18-28 Wigan

Leeds 24-26 Castleford

Warrington 38-12 Widnes

Doncaster 6-64 London

Workington 50-10 Huddersfield

16:10

Latest from Salford v Wigan

14:27

Hardaker up and running

a try for former Hull Kr winger Ken Sio too.

13:50

Sneyd on the shot clock

I’ve had to quicken up my goal-kicking routine slightly. We timed some of my conversion attempts from last season and I was 30 seconds over what the limit is now, so that is something I’ve had to work on.

Ultimately I think it is a good idea. It quickens the game up. In a lot of the games we played last year, we found if we played at a higher tempo, we’d put in a better performances so teams would automatically try and slow the game down against us. So for us as a team, we’re happy for the changes.

It doesn’t really add any pressure to me as a kicker. I think its important that we speed up the game and make it more entertaining.

13:20

Today's friendlies

Salford v Wigan

Batley v Bradford

Barrow v Whitehaven

Leeds v Castleford

Warrington v Widnes

Doncaster v London

Workington v Huddersfield

Oldham v Rochdale

Swinton v North wales

Featherstone v Halifax

13:17

Rule changes

Hull FC captain Danny Houghton is a big fan of the new rule changes coming into the game this season, in particular the introduction of the shot clock.

Chester a fan of rule changes

Wakefield coach Chris Chester has dismissed fears his heavyweight side will be disadvantaged by the new interchange rules.As part of a raft of rule changes for the new season, clubs will be allowed to make eight substitutions instead of 10, a move designed to exacerbate the fatigue factor and open up games in the last 20 minutes.Trinity have one of the biggest packs in Super League, with overseas front rowers David Fifita and Pauli Pauli both weighing in at over 18 stones, but Chester remains unconcerned.

Wakefield Trinity coach Chris Chester. (Image: SWpix)

11:51Gareth Westmorland

KR talking points from yesterday's win

Hull KR secured a 24-14 victory over Toronto Wolfpack in their final pre-season friendly of 2019.

It was the last chance for a number of Rovers players to impress ahead of the Super League opener against Hull FC next month.

Robins reporter Gareth Westmorland discusses what we learned from the win at KCOM Craven Park.

Grffin joins in

Tackle 52

Kelly latest

When Albert Kelly picked up a shoulder injury last week in a pre-season run out against Wakefield Trinity, the initial soundings from the FC camp were it was nothing to worry about. Lee Radford was even talking of Kelly possibly playing yesterday against St Helens.

Well, he didn’t play and not only did he not play, it’s looking increasingly likely he won’t play in the derby game either.

Kelly was absent from the match at St Helens and speaking after Radford revealed that of all the players absent through injury at Saints, only Mickey Paea has a realistic chance of being ready for round one.

So it’s Marc Sneyd and Jake Connor in the halves for round one at KCOM Craven Park?

09:21

Hardaker returns

Zak Hardaker will start to repay his debt to rugby league when he plays his first game for 16 months this afternoon.

The former England full-back and Man of Steel has completed a 14-month ban for cocaine use and will make his first appearance for his new club Wigan in a pre-season friendly at Salford Red Devils.

“I can’t wait,” said Hardaker, who was sacked by Castleford in February 2018. “I’ve been itching to get back for a long while.

“I feel really good. I’m looking forward to running the ball into someone, although I’m trying not to get too excited. Just to be out there, I’ll feel really privileged.

“I’ll probably look up to my mum in the stand and realise what would have been and where I am now.”

Zak Hardaker leaving Leeds Magistrates Court where he was given a 20-month ban from driving after admitting drink-driving. (Image: PA)

09:19

Hull KR recap

Match blog

RECAP: Hull KR vs Toronto Wolfpack. (Image: Jerome Ellerby)

Hull KR ensured preparations for the upcoming Super League campaign finished well with a 24-14 victory over Toronto Wolfpack.

This was exactly the warm-up Roversneeded ahead of February’s top-flight’s kick-off, at a bitter KCOM Craven Park, as the Canadians provided tough opposition before fierce rivals Hull FC come to town in less than a fortnight.

The friendly acted as a big opportunity for a number of players to impress for the final time ahead of next month’s opener against the Black and Whites, and Rovers made the perfect start.

Good morning

Well, that’s the friendly matches over with for Hull FC and Hull KR, which can only mean Super League is just around the corner.

Before we move ahead with today’s news and start to get excited for what’s on the horizon, let’s take a quick look back at yesterday’s news.

Hull FC

Here’s our match blog.

Hull FC suffered a 28-18 defeat in their final pre-season encounter as St Helens eased to victory at the Totally Wicked Stadium.

The Black and Whites were invited to Merseyside as part of Jonny Lomax’s Testimonial and despite competing during the first 20 minutes and the last quarter, the hosts took control either side of the half.

Match report

Scott Taylor of Hull FC is tackled during the trial clash at St Helens. (Image: RLPIX)

Hull FC coach Lee Radford paid tribute to St Helens after his side were punished for errors aplenty in their 28-18 defeat at the Totally Wicked Stadium.